Principal Geotechnical Engineer

Overview

As a Principal Geotechnical Engineer, you will lead technical directions across a diverse geotechnical portfolio, ensuring technical excellence and contributing to business growth. You will mentor engineers, manage multidisciplinary teams, and build trusted client relationships to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions. Your role integrates design, risk management, and innovative delivery across water, transportation, energy, property, and environmental sectors. This is a strategic leadership position within GHD’s UK geotechnical capability, offering broad impact and collaboration with industry experts.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Professional development and chartership support
• Leadership training
• Career progression within a growing global business

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and direction for complex geotechnical investigations, assessments, and design projects
• Oversee geotechnical analysis, foundation design, earthworks, slopes, retaining structures, and ground improvement solutions
• Act as technical reviewer and SME across multidisciplinary projects
• Drive innovation and digital delivery in geotechnical engineering
• Lead project teams to deliver on time, safely, and within budget
• Manage project programmes, resources, risks, and financial performance
• Contribute to proposals, fee estimates, and tender submissions
• Mentor and develop graduate and senior engineers
• Foster an inclusive culture and support career progression
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and represent the firm at meetings and forums

Key requirements

• Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, or related discipline
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status, or nearing chartership
• 10+ years of relevant industry experience in consultancy, contractor, or client environments
• Strong technical expertise in ground investigation, geotechnical analysis, foundation engineering, earthworks, retaining structures, and geotechnical risk management
• Experience leading multidisciplinary infrastructure projects from feasibility to construction
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, commercial performance, and client relationships
• Strong report writing, technical review, and presentation skills
• Proven track record in mentoring and developing engineering teams

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Influence and leadership of multidisciplinary teams
• Collaborative and inclusive mindset
• Ground investigation
• Geotechnical analysis
• Foundation engineering

…